Box Score Jan. 17, 2015 Box Score
NATCHITOCHES, La. - For only the second time in the last eight games the Lamar Cardinals dropped a decision to an opponent. One of the hottest teams in the Southland Conference coming into the day, Lamar was unable to overcome Northwestern State's (8-8/3-2 SLC) high-scoring offense. The Demons recorded a 96-84 decision over Lamar in a very close game.
The Cardinals overcame a 36.6-percent first-half performance to shoot 40 percent for the game, including nine three-pointers. The Demons connected on 32-of-62 (.516) from the field, including 11 threes.
The Cardinals found an advantage on the glass dominating the boards throughout the game. Lamar pulled down a season-high 54 boards, outrebounding their hosts by 22 (54-32).
The Cardinals finished the day with four players in double digits, led by senior Anthony Holliday's 25. Junior LeMon Gregory recorded his second consecutive start and responded with his first-career double-double. Gregory finished the afternoon with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
"Northwestern State does a good job of converting turnovers into points," said head coach Tic Price. "We turned the ball over 17 times, and didn't force them into many turnovers. We also couldn't control the tempo today. We were missing too many shots against their zone.
"I'm disappointed because I don't feel like we got in the fight enough today. We didn't do the little things today that help win games. Those are things we have been doing well over the past seven to eight games," added Price.
Despite an evenly matched first half, the Demons were able to take a six-point lead into the locker room, 45-39. Northwestern State recorded 16 field goals in the opening half, including five three-pointers, while Lamar hit 15 attempts, including four from long range. Both squads had recorded six field goals at the eight-minute mark, and nine field goals with 12 minutes remaining in the half. The only difference was Northwestern State shot nearly 49 percent from the field, while the Cards finished the half less than 37 percent.
Despite having a lower shooting percentage, the Cardinals did a good job of keeping Northwestern State off the glass in the opening 20 minutes. Lamar gained a 34-16 advantage on the glass, including 13 offensive boards, which led to an 11-3 advantage for the Cards in second chance points.
Sophomore Zeek Woodley led all scorers at the intermission with 11 points, while Lamar did a good job of spreading out the scoring. Gregory nearly recorded a double-double in the opening 20 minutes with eight points and nine rebounds. Holliday scored six, along with freshman Zjori Bosha.
Both teams shot 50 percent from the free throw line, but Northwestern State got to the stripe more in the opening half. The Demons were 8-of-16, while the Cardinals connected on 5-of-10.
After falling behind early in the second half, the Cardinals were able to rebound and reclaim the lead. After Northwestern State was called for intentional foul to stop a Lamar fast break, followed by a Holliday three-pointer, the Cardinals were able to grab a 55-54 lead with less than 15 remaining.
Junior Dontavious Sears gave the Cardinals another one-point lead when he buried a triple with just over 12 minutes in the game, but the Demons responded to the triple by rattling off a 9-0 run. Lamar was able to stop the bleeding with a 7-2 run of their own to pull back within three, 72-69, with less than eight to play.
Following Lamar's run, the Demons answered with another run to build a double-digit lead, 82-71, with less than three minutes on the clock. Northwestern State pushed its advantage to 15 points before the final tally.
Sears came off the bench to score 17 points, while senior Tyran de Lattibeaudiere added 11 points and eight rebounds. Zeek Woodley led three Demons in double-figures with 25 points.
The Cardinals return to action Monday when they host Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lions will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center, and will serve as the 2015 Suits for Sneakers game - helping raise awareness in the fight against cancer.
-LAMAR-
